Plasma apparatus for biological decontamination and sterilization and method for use

Abstract

A device having dielectric layer with opposite sides and a length. First and second electrodes are each on an opposite side of the dielectric layer and offset along the length of the dielectric layer. A voltage source selectively provides a first voltage on the first electrode and a second voltage on the second electrode such that plasma is generated along the dielectric layer, the plasma providing a decontamination mechanism of adjacent air, and movement of the adjacent air along the dielectric layer.

1 . A device comprising:
 a dielectric layer having opposite sides and a length;   a first and a second electrode each on an opposite side of the dielectric layer and offset along the length of the dielectric layer; and   a voltage source that selectively provides a first voltage on the first electrode and a second voltage on the second electrode such that plasma is generated along the dielectric layer, the plasma providing a decontamination mechanism of adjacent air, and movement of the adjacent air along the dielectric layer.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a third and a fourth electrode on opposite sides of the dielectric layer and offset along the length of the dielectric layer;   wherein the voltage source selectively provides a third voltage on the third electrode and a fourth voltage on the fourth electrode such that plasma is generated along the dielectric layer, the plasma providing a decontamination mechanism of adjacent air, and movement of the adjacent air along the dielectric layer.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the first, second, third, and fourth electrodes and the power supply are configured to produce a swirling effect of gasses adjacent the dielectric layer. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the dielectric layer forms a portion of a decontamination chamber, with the plasma being produced by the electrodes inside the chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , further comprising means for providing a supply of contaminated air into the decontamination chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , further comprising means for evacuating plasma-decontaminated air from the decontamination chamber. 
     
     
         7 . A device comprising:
 first and second inner electrodes exposed to the inside of a decontamination chamber; and   first and second outer electrodes separated from the first and second inner electrodes by a dielectric material forming a portion of a wall of the decontamination chamber;   wherein the first and second inner electrodes are situated relative to one another and to the respective outer electrodes so as to produce plasma inside the decontamination chamber in response to selective application of sufficient voltage to the first, second, third, and fourth electrodes.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , further comprising an alternating voltage source connected by leads to the first and second inner electrodes and the first and second outer electrodes. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the first inner and outer electrodes are situated offset relative to one another so as to produce a first motive force of gases within the decontamination chamber when plasma is produced. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the second inner and outer electrodes are situated offset relative to one another to as to produce a second motive force of gases within the decontamination chamber; and wherein the first and second motive forces of gases are in substantially opposite directions so as to produce a swirling effect of gases within the decontamination chamber. 
     
     
         11 . A method comprising:
 placing a first electrode on a first side of a dielectric material;   placing a second electrode on a second side of the dielectric material offset from the first electrode;   exposing the first side of the dielectric material to a contaminated gas; and   applying a sufficient voltage differential to the first and second electrodes as to produce a plasma stream on the first side of the dielectric material to decontaminate the gas.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising providing a decontamination chamber with the first electrode exposed to an interior thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising introducing the contaminated gas into the decontamination chamber. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising evacuating decontaminated gas from the decontamination chamber after exposure to plasma. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 placing a third electrode on the first side of a dielectric material;   placing a fourth electrode on the second side of the dielectric material offset from the third electrode;   applying a sufficient voltage differential to the third and fourth electrodes as to produce a second plasma stream on the first side of the dielectric material to decontaminate the gas; and   arranging the first, second, third, and fourth electrodes such that the first and second plasma steams are directed in opposite directions to as to produce a swirling effect of the gas near the dielectric layer.